Letters to the editor for Thursday, September 12, 2013

Thursday

Sep 12, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Regarding the “Cell debate towers over Lake Helen” story: The modern industrial tower, three times higher than the tallest tree, is proposed to be erected along I-4, between the two “Lake Helen Historic District” exit signs where everyone using the city’s premier gateway, and those in the 60,000 vehicles passing by daily, will see it. To help preserve our authentic historic small-town character, the City Commission passed a law prohibiting commercial towers within the city limits. At the last Comprehensive Plan review, the commission cut our density and intensity in half to enhance the preservation of our natural rural, scenic beauty. We brake for chickens and ducks and turkeys and turtles and deer and horses. In December, come see our famous tour of historic homes and churches.The erection of a cell tower at that location will desecrate the natural rural scenic beauty, image, character and quality of place that Lake Helen has carefully crafted, nourished and preserved through generations. Pray the Volusia County Council members will not be complicit, and will instead always vote to ensure the brightness and clarity of the “gem of Florida.”ROBERT G. FEATHERLake HelenFeather is former chair of the Lake Helen Historic Preservation Board.

I have been coming to New Smyrna Beach for the last 15 years. When I started to come here, we had oysters right off our dock, now they are dead and covered with the most smelly muck and mud you have ever seen. They have now been replaced by some kind of cattails. When recently cleaning up around the dock, I stuck an oar in, and after four feet of the oar had been pushed into the mud, it still had not hit bedrock or sand — instead, it acted like quicksand. God forbid a small child or elderly person fall in; they would surely sink to their death.When I was here in July I read an article regarding all the scientists they were bringing in to find out why the Indian River Lagoon is in ill health with manatees, dolphins, sea grass, and pelicans dying. I think the canals are filled with muck and are overgrown and do not flush well enough, so with the added homes, fertilizer, and runoff it simply does not get to clean itself properly.Increase the water flow from tides — problem solved. Let’s put the money in the actual work needed and quit putting it off or trying to blame something else. You are going to have to address this sooner or later, or the canals will fill in and be grown over by mangroves. I hope you choose to address this sooner than later.John HarapkoCharleroi, Pa.

A congressional vote cannot change the president’s foreign policy in the Middle East. His basic goal is to contain the influence of Iran in the area, and to do this by diminishing the influence of Hezbollah and the Assad regime in Syria. His immediate goal is to weaken the Assad regime in its battle with the Sunni rebels. If he cannot use a limited military strike to weaken Assad, he can instead strengthen the rebels, which he may want to do anyway. In this effort, he has the strong support of both Saudi Arabia and Turkey. They, too, are interested in containing Iranian influence in the area and hopefully preparing for negotiations to change Iran’s nuclear policies.Many forces and factors will shape the success or failure of American policy vis-à-vis Iran: A congressional vote to authorize a military strike against Assad is not one of them. What that vote may say about the American people, the international community and the future of chemical warfare is another matter.E. Raymond PlatigOrmond Beach

I read with interest the letter to the editor, “Why so personal?” The writer was upset with the opinions containing insults and personal attacks directed at “our president.” From the letter’s content, the writer is obviously a supporter of Mr. Obama.Although I don’t claim perfect recollection, I don’t remember anyone who now supports Obama being upset, or writing a letter to the editor, when insults were directed at George W. Bush by those on the left. Was he not also “our president” and deserving of the same respect the writer wants for Obama?It appears to be another example of “selective outrage” so frequently exhibited by the left.Allan JuskoOrmond Beach

A letter in The News-Journal for Sept. 7 states that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. really harbored Republican policies. The writer should be reminded that at the time of his death, Dr. King was speaking on behalf of unionization for sanitation workers; Republican administrations in states have systematically disenfranchised public service-union bargaining power. Dr. King’s message at the Washington march 50 years ago advocated for civil rights, especially the right to vote. A large number of Republican state legislatures have acted forcefully to restrict access to voting through voter ID restrictions, limiting of early voting, limiting of college student registrations, etc. If the writer really thinks that Dr. King’s message mirrors Republican political ideology, he needs to carefully read the body of Dr. King’s message.Joseph J. KoechlerOrmond Beach

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